Southwest Florida faces nursing shortage

Experts are worried that the gap could create a critical impact on our health care.

The most recent report taken in 2014 looked at which Southwest Florida occupation has the largest gap between the number of workers and the number of people able to fill the gaps, and nurses came out on top.

The study reveals the demand for nurses exceeded the available supply by 534 workers.

Dr. Christopher Westley, a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University who headed up the study, says two years ago nursing wasn't even on the list.

"There has been a nursing shortage, and maybe it's finally reached its way down here. The population is aging, which causes an increase for nurses, and they there could also be an Obamacare angle as well," he said.

WorkForce Now studies patterns and trends and identifies which employers are having the hardest time filling jobs.

By 2025, it's projected Florida will be short more than 50,000 nurses.

The Futuremakers Coalition of Southwest Florida is trying to help fill the gap.

"We are working with communities across the country to look at best practices, and the key thing we are doing is building a coalition from cradle to career," said Tessa Lesage.

Right now, they are working on a pilot program with Lee Memorial that gives financial support and education to people so they can earn their certified nursing assistant certification.

Locals hospitals are aggressively working to hire nurses. They all stress that the vacancies are not jeopardizing patient care or safety.

Other positions that are needed are for retail, construction supervisors, speech pathologists, and physical therapists.